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Film Permit
The City of Alhambra is a film-friendly community. Over the years, we have played host to some of the most recognizable films, television series, and music videos. We support the filming industry and filming students. We try our best to assist anyone who wishes to do business in Alhambra. Charitable and student films must obtain a permit and reimburse the City for the cost of personnel and equipment, but they are exempt from permit fees.
Please be aware that we are also concerned about possible impacts on the neighborhood and require production companies to follow certain rules to minimize any impacts and possible inconveniences for residents.
The City of Alhambra processes film internally. You can find the requirements for filming in Alhambra listed below.
Please read the material carefully. To allow sufficient time to review and process your application, a completed application, including all related forms and documents, should be submitted to the Finance Department within FIVE (5) working business days of the filming. Exceptions include filming involving stunts, which requires SIX (6) business days and filming requiring road closures along major thoroughfares, which requires TEN (10) business days (more or less depending on the filming location). Incomplete applications will not be processed.
Click to access the Film Permit Application.
Film Permit Process
Below are the five steps for completing the film permit process:
A film permit is required for filming motion pictures, television shows, commercials, video tapes and for shooting commercial photography in the City of Alhambra. Please see the map on the City's website to verify the location is within the City limits.
You have selected a potential location. Please obtain the required insurance limits and submit to filming@cityofalhambra.org.
General Insurance Limits:
| Each occurrence | $1,000,000 |
| Damage to rented premises (each occurrence) | $100,000 |
| Med exp (any one person) | $5,000 |
| Personal & adv injury | $1,000,000 |
| General aggregate | $2,000,000 |
| Products - comp/op AGG | $1,000,000 |
Secure Insurance
- Commercial General Liability – Minimum of $1,000,000 Each Occurrence and Minimum $2,000,000 General Aggregate
- If filming on City Property – Minimum Commercial General Liability Coverage of $5,000 Each Occurrence and Minimum $5,000,000 General Aggregate
- General Aggregate Limit Applies Per: Project
- Must list City as Additional Insured with Additional Insured Endorsement Page
Description of Operations/Locations/Vehicles: (Should state the following language)
- Certificate holder is named as Additional Insured with respect to the operations of the named insured per written contract.
- Film Title: (Name of Film)
- Film Location: (Name of location – Address of Film Location)
- Filming date and time: (Dates & Times of filming)
The Filming Coordinator will notify you if additional insurance is required. Below is a sample of the insurance policy required.
Once you have researched your location and secured insurance, you are ready to submit your film permit application. Please send the completed application to filming@cityofalhambra.org.
Once you have submitted your application and pay the application fee, your permit will be assigned to a Filming Coordinator. Your Filming Coordinator will be your point of contact for the remainder of the process. Their primary responsibility is to secure approval from all departments and coordinate with the applicant to obtain additional information, if required, before issuing a film permit.
The best way to ensure a warm welcome for your production is to show respect for the communities you are filming in. Please complete the Proposed Photography/Filming Activity Form on page 10 of the application. You are required to distribute this form to the property owners/tenants whose properties are located within 100-feet of a photo shoot/filming location. You will need to collect the signed forms from the property owners/tenants and submit them to the Filming Coordinator. The City will use inputs from this form to approve the film permit.
Click to access the Film Permit Application.
The application fee is due when your application is submitted for processing. The application fee is non-refundable, even if you later elect to withdraw your permit application.
Once approved, an email link will be sent to the email address of the applicant to prompt payment. Your payment must be paid in full upon the final approval of the filming permit. Payment must be made by 4:00 p.m. one business day prior to the first day of production.
Once paid, an email will be sent the following business day to issue the film permit. Please print or show proof of the film permit to avoid production shutdown.